Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback review: running costs & insurance
Charging at home is cheapest, but many Q8 e-tron Sportback buyers will want to make use of the car's 150-170kW rapid-charging capability
| Insurance group | Warranty | Service interval | Annual company-car tax (20%/40%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48-50 | 3yrs/60,000 miles | 2yrs/18,000 miles | From £281/£562 |
The Q8 e-tron Sportback is a pretty expensive car to buy, though newer rivals are pricier still – the latest Volvo EX90 will have a list price of more than £90,000 when it arrives later in 2023. In context, the Audi actually looks to represent pretty decent value for money.
Of course, if you can charge your Q8 at home on an off-peak electricity tariff, it could cost pennies to run. Company-car drivers will also be pleased to learn that all fully electric vehicles fall into the 2% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax band until at least the 2024/25 financial year, significantly undercutting even the most fuel-efficient hybrids. Just beware, though – insuring your Q8 e-tron comes with a sting in the tail.
Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback insurance group
Whichever way you look at it, the e-tron Sportback occupies some of the most expensive insurance groupings. The numbers we’ve got currently relate to the pre-facelift model, but we don’t expect the figures to differ hugely; the Q8 e-tron’s desirable badge, expensive list price and SUV body mean it commands suitably lofty insurance ratings.
Warranty
Every Q8 e-tron Sportback gets a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, which is little more than par for the course. Some rivals top this with unlimited-mileage cover during the first three years, while more mainstream electric-car manufacturers like Kia back their cars for up to seven years/100,000 miles.
Still, like many electric cars, the Q8 e-tron Sportback's battery is covered separately for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. That should give owners peace of mind – especially if they plan to use the car’s 150-170kW rapid-charging capability on a regular basis.
Servicing
The Q8 e-tron Sportback will need servicing every two years or 18,000 miles – whichever comes soonest. There are three service plans to choose from, starting from as little as £399 outright, or £33.25 per month over 12 months.
With fewer moving parts and plenty of well-tested components, the e-tron Sportback should be reliable. Features such as regenerative braking should lessen wear on some of the car’s consumables, though its sheer weight may see it eat through tyres faster than you might hope.
Road tax
Like all fully electric vehicles for the time being, the Q8 e-tron Sportback is zero-rated for road tax (VED) until 2025. It’s exempt from the London Congestion Charge as well, also until 2025.
